Swimming pool cover



Sept. 13, 1966 E. A. BENDER- SWIMMING POOL COVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1964 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1966 E. A. BENDER 3,271,789

SWIMMING POOL COVER Filed June 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR [Wail/.7. Berzde;

ATTORNEYj United States Patent 3,271,789 SWIMMING POUL CGVER Emil A. Bender, R0. Box 52, Bakersfield, Calif. Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,124 (Ilaims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates generally to swimming pool cover apparatus, and in particular, to improvements in hip and valley type swimming pool covers such as the one disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,990,556, issued July 4, 1961.

The above identified patent discloses a unique swimming pool cover having a plurality of elongated panel assemblies for extending transversely of a pool to be covered, said panels being hingedly connected to each other in accordion fold arrangement for purposes of rigidity of construction when the cover is extended for use over a swimming pool. Conversely, this novel construction permits the panel assemblies to be drawn into generally parallel plane relationship when the device is folded into a nonuse position. While this swimming pool cover assembly should be very useful in preventing the entry of dust, dirt, leaves, and other undesirable debris into the swimming pool proper when in use, the alternate hip and valley construction used therein permits several sanitary and other disadvantages. Specifically, the longitudinal side edges of the apparatus remain relatively open between each transverse valley when the device is extended and form open spaces, thereby permitting entry of dirt and other foreign material into the swimming pool. In addition, these open spaces are large enough to allow small animals, and children seeking adventure, to enter the swimming pool beneath the pool cover. Such an occurrence could be quite disastrous, as egress from the swimming pool would be relatively impossible. Finally, these open spaces permit the passage of strong winds beneath the swimming pool cover, thereby allowing any foreign material carried by such winds to fall into the swimming pool proper. Additionally a strong wind gust passing beneath the pool cover could conceivably cause severe structural damage to the entire device.

It is a principal object of this invention, therefore, to provide a side sealing structure for a hip and valley type pool cover, which is movable into and out of operative position by the accordion-like unfolding and folding of said swimming pool cover.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for use with the type of swimming pool cover above discussed, which will effectively and completely seal a swimming pool.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus as above described, which is permanently secured to a swimming pool cover.

Still another object of the invention is to provide sealing apparatus of the character described which is composed of integral panel assemblies, foldable into parallel plane relationship with the elongated panel assemblies of the swimming pool cover, thereby permitting maximum compact storage of said swimming pool cover when not 1n use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism that will assure proper alignment of said sealing apparatus as said swimming pool cover is alternately folded and unfolded.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a side sealing apparatus of the character described, which will provide added strength and rigidity to a hip and valley type swimming pool cover.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a side sealing apparatus of the character described which is low in cost of construction, simple in mode of operation, and relatively maintenance free.

3,271,789 Patented Sept. 13, I966 The foregoing analysis of the invention, taken together with further objects and advantages of the instant device, will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale and taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1i;

FIG. 3 is another detailed and enlarged sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken from the upper center portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of two panel assemblies of a hip and valley type swimming pool cover;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another enlarged sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary stop sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the invention together with the side edges of two panel assemblies of a hip and valley type swimming pool cover in a semifolded position; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, the embodiment of the invention is shown, in FIG. 1, in the form of left and right dust covers or protective shields 1t) and 12, each being of generally triangular configuration. In addition, an opening and closing mechanism or cable assembly 14 is located across the face of each of said protective shields. Protective shields 10 and 12 are preferably made of sheet aluminum, but, alternatively, they may be constructed of any generally stiff corrosion resistant material that may be used in connection with swimming pool covers. Each shield is hingedly secured by hinge 28 as shown to a corresponding outer edge of one of the pair of panel members 20, 20 which form one of several hip and valley sections of the swimming pool cover. A particular method of hinge connection is shown in FIG. 2. Frame member 16 is provided with a serrated slot 18 which is used to secure panel member 20, having a folded over edge 22. This frame construction is more completely discussed in my said prior Patent No. 2,990,556 issued July 4, 1961. A support block 24 is located within slot 18, between lower serrated portion 26 and the undersurface of panel member 20. Hinge 28 is secured to the free end of support block 24 by any suitable means, such as rivets 30, which pass through the anchored portion of hinge 2%, block 24, and panel member 20. The free portion of hinge 28 is secured to an upper longitudinal portion 32 of shield 10, having crimped portion 34 by suitable means such as rivets 36. As shown in FIG. 1, two or more hinges 28, 28 may be used to secure shield 10 to frame member 16, and shield 12 may be secured to its corresponding frame member 38 in the same manner. For purpose of smoothness and rigidity, shields 1t) and 12 may have their remaining outer edges crimped in the manner above described. Preferably, shields 10 and 12 are provided with a slotted guard 40 which runs along the lower edge of each shield. As shown in FIG. 3, shield 40 may be secured to shield 10, or shield 12, by rivets 42, or any other suitable means. Guard 40 is provided so as to avoid any possibility of damage to a swimming pool coping (not shown) upon which the entire swimming pool cover rests.

The general features of one complete panel assembly for a swimming pool cover is adequately shown by reference to FIGS. 4 through 7. A complete panel section comprises two sections 44 and 46 hingedly interconnected at 48 (FIG. 5). Each panel section has a pair of longitudinal frame members 511 and 52, in which frame members 52 form the hip and frame members 50 being the valley of the type of swimming pool cover above discussed. In addition, each panel section has a number of cross ribs 54, the number of which-is determined by needs of structural integrity. The facing of each panel section is made up of a number of panels 20 which are of stiff sheet material such as aluminum, and are secured to frame members 48 and 5t and interposed ribs 54 in the same manner as panel 20 is secured to frame member 16 as discussed above. As shown in FIG. 4, longitudinal frame members 52, which form a hip portion of the swimming pool cover, are hingedly secured together by a number of blind strap hinges 56 secured as by bolts 58 to inward projections 60 of frame members 52. For further rigidity, a tension cable 62 is secured beneath panel members 44 and 46 to cross ribs 54 by a pair of terminal eye ends 64, 64 secured by bolts or rivets 66 to stem portions 68 of cross ribs 54, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 1, 3, and 8 illustrate the cable assembly 14 which is used to place shields and 12 in operative and closed position as panel sections 44 and 46 are alternately unfolded and closed into a storage position. Cable assembly 14 comprises a tension cable '70, similar to tension cable 62 discussed above, secured by terminal eye ends 72 and 74, and a pair of tubular members 76 and '78, secured to seals 10 and 12 respectively, at the inner terminal ends thereof. Each terminal eye end of cable 70 has a bumper 80 secured thereto and to a corresponding end frame member by suitable means, such as bolt or rivet 82. Tubular members 76 and 78 have inner eye ends 84 and 86 respectively, which are secured by bolts 88 and 90 to shields 10 and 12 respectively. It is noted in FIG. 8 that the outer ends of tubular members 76 and '78 are terminated inwardly of terminal eye ends 72 and 74 respectively as indicated by gaps 92 and 94. Additionally, shield 12 is provided with a vertical lip 26 which is angled inwardly of shield 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, for purposes which will become apparent below.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, there is depicted the novel and particular combination of operative features of the invention which assists in positioning the shields 1d, 12 in proper attitude as panel sections 44 and 46 are alternately folded and unfolded. -FIG. 8 depicts the position of shields 10 and 12 when panel assemblies 44 and 46 are in a completely unfolded attitude. As the closing operation is initiated, cable 71) will slacken momentarily. As the closing operation continues, cable 70, being further slackened, will begin to move in some sideways motion, transverse of its length. However, cable 763 is restricted in movement by tubular members '76 and 78, which are further secured to shields 10 and 12 respectively, so that cable 70 will carry shields 10 and 12 with it upwardly as it begins to move in a sideways fashion. The function of the brackets 80 now become clear; the brackets prevent shields 10 and 12 from swinging outwardly and away from the underside of panel sections 44 and 46. As shields 10 and 12 are secured by hinges 28 for swinging movement, as depicted in FIG. 1, the sole remaining direction of movement for said shields, is inwardly, towards the inner surface of panel sections 44 and 46. The purpose of lip 96 is to prevent shields 10 and 12 from becoming jammed together when the closing operation is initiated. FIG. 9 shows the closing operation approximately half completed. It will be noted here that center portion 98 of cable 70, has assumed a semi-arcuate position. In addition, shields 18 and 12 carrying tubular members 76 and 79 move inwardly and upwardly. Thus, gaps 92 and 94 (FIG. 8) provide bend points for cable 78, as terminal eye ends 72 and 74 remain rigidly secured to frames 16 and 38, respectively. As cable '70 is generally stiff, it is resistant to deformation and thus serves to force shields 10 and 12 against the interior portions of panel sections 44 and 46 as the closing operation is completed. Sectional view shown in FIG. 10 shows the swinging motion ofshield 10 as it is moved in and out of operative position. Shield 11) assumes a position parallel to panel 21) when the swimming pool cover is closed, and swings down to a position at right angles to panel 21) when the cover is in open operative position. Each of these attitudes is indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10. When panel sections 44 and 46 are moved from the closed to the unfolded position, the reverse of the above operation takes place. That is to say, as the outer ends of panel sections 44 and 46 move away from each other, cable 70 is moved from its deformed attitude into a taut, linear position, carrying shields 11) and 12 with it, through tubular :arms 76 and 78 respectively, said members forming a connective length between cable 70 and shields 1t and 12 and thus the shields are brought into the position shown in FIG. 8 when the unfolding operation is completed.

While the foregoing serves as a complete and detailed analysis of the construction and operation of the instant invention, it should not be construed that I am limited by the same except as may be within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swimming pool cover comprising a plurality of elongated panel members extending transversely of the pool and hingedly connected to each other in accordionfold arrangement defining alternate hip and valleys when in an extended position, a pair of resilient cables with its ends connecting proximate ends of adjacent panel members, a pair of generally triangularly configured protective shields for each end of said hips and each protective shield of said pair having one side thereof in abutting engagement with the other of said pair, having another side hingedly engaging the ends of the panel members proximate to said resilient cables, and having the remaining side thereof for extending toward the ground for providing substantial contact therewith when the pool cover is in its extended position, a tubular member mounted on each of said protective shields for holding one of said cables in position adjacent said protective shields so that as the panel members are folded from their extended position, the protective shields fold upwardly against the underside of the panel members to allow the pool cover to conform to its closed position.

2. A swimming pool cover comprising a plurality of elongated panel members for extending transversely of the pool and being hingedly connected to each other in accordion-fold arrangement defining alternate hips and valleys when in an extended position ariddefining substantially a stacked array when in closed position, each end of said hips connected by a resiliently stiff cable with its ends connecting proximate ends of adjacent panel members, a pair of generally triangularly configured protective shields for each end of said hip and each protective shield of said pair having one side thereof in abutting engagement with the other of said pair, said protective shields having another side hingedly engaging the ends of the panel members, and having the remaining side for generally contacting toward the pool deck when the pool cover is in its extended position, a generally tubular member mounted on each of said protective shields for holding said cable in position adjacent said dust panels, so that as the panel members are folded from their extended position, the protective shields fold upwardly against the underside of the panel assemblies.

3. A swimming pool cover comprising a plurality of elongated panel members extending transversely of a pool and hingedly connected to each other, a pair of generally triangularly configured shields for each end of said pair of panel members, a tubular member medially mounted on each of said shields for holding a cable in position adjacent said shields, so that as the panel members are folded from an extended position, each of the shields fold upwardly to a position on the underside of each of the respective panel members so that the pool cover is permitted to conform to its closed position.

4. A swimming pool cover comprising at least a pair of elongated panel members extending transversely of the pool and hingedly connected to each other for defining alternate hips and valleys when in an extended position, a resiliently stiff cable with its ends connecting proximate ends of adjacent panels, a pair of generally triangularly configured shields for each end of said pair of panel members and having one edge hingedly engaging the ends of the panel members, and having the lower edge for extending toward the ground when the pool cover is in its extended position, a member mounted on each of said shields for holding said cable in position adjacent said shields, and positioned on the shields so that as the shields fold upwardly against the underside of the panel members, the pool cover is allowed to conform to its closed position.

5. A swimming pool cover comprising at least a pair of elongated panel members for extending transversely of a pool, a pair of generally triangularly configured shields having one edge of one shield in generally abutting relation to one edge of the other shield for each end of said pair of panel members, a tubular member for receiving a stiff cable extending at least across the abutting edges of said pair of panel members and mounted on each of said shields for holding said cable in position adjacent said shields, so that as the panel members are folded from an extended position, the shields fold generally upwardly against an underside of the panel members to allow the pool cover to conform to its closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,895,143 7/1959 Seitz 4172 2,990,556 7/1961 Bender 4-172 3,094,710 6/1963 Hoke 4172 3,118,148 1/1964 Taylor et a1. 4172 3,227,422 1/1966 Loeb 4172 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SWIMMING POOL COVER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PANEL MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE POOL AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER IN ACCORDIONFOLD ARRANGEMENT DEFINING ALTERNATE HIP AND VALLEYS WHEN IN AN EXTENDED POSITION, A PAIR OF RESILIENT CABLES WITH ITS ENDS CONNECTING PROXIMATE ENDS OF ADJACENT PANEL MEMBERS, A PAIR OF GENERALLY TRIANGULARLY CONFIGURED PROTECTIVE SHIELDS FOR EACH END OF SAID HIPS AND EACH PROTECTIVE SHIELD OF SAID PAIR HAVING ONE SIDE THEREOF IN ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER OF SAID PAIR, HAVING ANOTHER SIDE HINGEDLY ENGAGING THE ENDS OF THE PANEL MEMBERS PROXIMATE TO SAID RESILIENT CABLES, AND HAVING THE REMAINING SIDE THEREOF FOR EXTENDING TOWARD THE GROUND FOR PROVIDING SUBSTANTIAL CONTACT THEREWITH WHEN THE POOL COVER IS IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION, A TUBULAR MEMBER MOUNTED ON EACH OF SAID PROTECTIVE SHIELDS FOR HOLDING ONE OF SAID CABLES IN POSITION ADJACENT SAID PROTECTIVE SHIELDS SO THAT AS THE PANEL MEMBERS ARE FOLDED FROM THEIR EXTENDED POSITION, THE PROTECTIVE SHIELDS FOLD UPWARDLY AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PANEL MEMBERS TO ALLOW THE POOL COVER TO CONFORM TO ITS CLOSED POSITION. 